Haim

If nothing else, Haim at least inspire some pretty choice critical gasbaggery: Spin calls their debut album, Days Are Gone, "ruthlessly proficient," while Rolling Stone has determined it to be a "kind of microtriumph." L.A. Weekly rates its own ruthlessly proficient critical skills three thumbs way up when we loudly proclaim that Haim do indeed fulfill the promise of their rather imposingly engorged hype. Valley girls Este, Danielle and Alana Haim's self-penned, smoovely synth-y, dance/R&B/new-wave rock fodder is a savory, quirky blend of all the old-school stuff we like best, and they throw in some majorly huge ax solos, besides. Haim's live show is where it's really at, though, because the girls do choreographed dance steps and switch among instruments, all while warbling in sweet, three-part harmony. File under Fun Stuff. Also Friday, Aug. 8. Thu., Aug. 7, 7 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 8, 7 p.m., 2014 (Expired: 08/08/14)